Former top prosecutor Lamar endorses Barra for state attorney
Former Orange-Osceola State Attorney Lawson Lamar endorsed Deborah Barra Monday to replace Aramis Ayala as the top prosecutor in the Ninth Judicial Circuit.
Barra, a Democrat who is currently chief assistant state attorney for the office, filed to run in the 2020 election after Ayala announced in May that she wouldn’t seek a second term.
A former Orange County sheriff, Lamar served as the circuit’s top prosecutor for six consecutive terms starting in 1988 until he was unseated in 2012 by Jeff Ashton. In a statement released by Barra’s campaign, Lawson said Barra is “the right and only person for the position.”
“Deb Barra is a natural and proven leader with a deep passion for helping victims of crime,” Lamar said. “Barra has a deep understanding that a prosecutor’s role is to serve as a public servant and for that reason, she has always prioritized justice over conviction rates. She is mindful, values diversion programs, believes in ongoing training for prosecutors, and she understands the importance of building community partnerships to innovate improvements to our criminal justice system.”
Lamar said, after he hired Barra, she stood out because of her judgement and work ethic, so he assigned her as chief of the
sex crimes unit at the office.
“Deb Barra has the experience, work ethic, insight and most importantly, the integrity to effectively lead the office of the State Attorney,” Lamar said. “In the 2020 election I will continue to do my part in protecting our community by voting for Deb Barra.”
Barra said the endorsement from her former boss “means a great deal to me.”
“As Sheriff and then our State Attorney for over 20 years he understands what it takes to effectively lead the office,” Barra said. “He taught me to be a voice for victims of crimes, a true public servant for the community and most importantly to always do the right thing. I am profoundly grateful for his guidance and support.”
Barra will face Ryan Williams in the Democratic primary. Williams, who left Ayala’s office in 2017, is currently handling death penalty cases that former Gov. Rick Scott reassigned from Ayala’s office to Fifth Circuit State Attorney Brad King after Ayala refused to consider the death penalty. Republican Kevin Morenski, a local criminal defense attorney who has said he filed to run in response to Ayala’s opposition to capital punishment, is the only other candidate in the race.